The World Wide Robin Hood Society, in Sherwood, has obtained exclusive use of the name on the social-networking website after exposing several imposters posing as the outlaw.
The society hopes to use Robin`s "tweets" – short messages published on the website – to promote Notts as a tourist destination to an online band of Merry Men following the messages.
Bob White, chairman of the society, founded 11 years ago, said: "With films, television series, books, comics, songs, places and companies named after him, Twitter had to acknowledge that Robin Hood was indeed a phenomenal global superstar – and they graciously granted him exclusive rights to the use of his celebrity name."
Twitter has given the group the right to act as the one and only bona fide Robin Hood on the site.
Mr White said: "Robin Hood was always somebody considered iconic and is still a celebrity today and of interest to people all over the world.
"Whenever anyone thinks of Robin Hood, they think of Nottingham."
Tweets will include gossip about the latest Robin Hood film, starring Russell Crowe, information on how to get to Notts and advice on where to stay.
"Mike Douglas, director of the society, said: "We have 2,000 society members and a lot more on our mailing list.
"We try to encourage them to come to Nottingham.
"We found that someone already had Robin Hood as an account, and people had also taken the name with numbers on the end and things like that – so we asked Twitter if we could have it.
"We showed them we have Robin Hood Limited and other documents and they decided to give us the name."
A team of Robin Hood experts, including society members and historians, will have access to the account to tweet on Robin`s behalf.
It is hoped the site will soon have 10,000 followers – the number of people already in touch with the society, which can be contacted at www.robinhood.info.
To follow Robin Hood online visit twitter.com/robinhood.
sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
Robin Hood a keen Twitter fan!
Robin Hood joins Twitter
Over 800 years after his legend was first born, Robin Hood, the world’s most popular all-action folk hero, has once again fought for justice and claimed his right to the exclusive use of his name on Twitter: www.twitter.com/robinhood
Having swapped his bow and arrow for a mobile phone to ensure that his global fame continues to shine brightly in the 21st century, the internet-based World Wide Robin Hood Society (www.robinhood.info) put him on Twitter to help him stay in touch with his thousands of fans and keep his legend alive. However, Robin soon discovered that there were already lots of “imposters” on the giant social network using his famous name and so he asked Twitter to recognise his true celebrity status and won !
Society Chairman, Bob White said “With numerous films, television series, books, comics, songs, places and companies etc. named after him Twitter had to acknowledge that Robin Hood was indeed a phenomenal global superstar and they graciously granted him exclusive rights to the use of his celebrity name. In fact Robin Hood is probably “the ultimate celebrity”- a true icon of popular culture. He’s renowned as a champion of the people and the combination of adventure and romance, surrounded by the intriguing mystery that historians cannot categorically prove his very existence, has made him a fascinating character in English folklore.
Practically every day the Society hears about some Robin Hood related news, story or event so we want to share the experience with the thousands of enthusiasts around the world. The spirit of Robin Hood is something people seem to eternally hold in their hearts from childhood and so we also want to hear just what the legend means to them. So if you want to find out what Robin is currently getting up to, ask him a question or seek his advice then send him a “tweet” and Follow Robin at www.twitter.com/robinhood
Robin Hood Fans support England at Nottingham
England fans turn up for the England V South Africa Twenty Twenty Cricket match at Trent Bridge in good spirits wearing Robin Hood outfits.
World Wide Robin Hood Society
Robin Hood Limited
Sherwood Business Centre
616a-618a Mansfield Road
Sherwood
Nottingham
England
NG5 2GA
Twitter has given the group the right to act as the one and only bona fide Robin Hood on the site.
"Mike Douglas, director of the society, said: "We have 2,000 society members and a lot more on our mailing list.
